Khlopotov is a 1994-born center who played with the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv 94 squad and the Russian U17 National Team last season, serving as team captain with the Lokomotiv.

According to reports, he is a smart, creative playmaker with excellent hockey instincts and natural leadership skills. He has a good solid shot and decent skill on the puck with unique one-on-one abilities. He tallied nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points in 16 games with the Lokomotiv in 2010-2011.

He earned a gold medal at the 2011 Tenth European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in the Czech Republic and a gold medal at the 2011 Four Nations 1994 U17 tournament in Russia.

Khlopotov will join Czech Republic native Tadeas Galansky as Saginaw’s two import players heading into the 2011-2012 season. Each CHL team is allowed a maximum of two import players on their roster in a given season.